U.S. patent number 6,247,022 [Application Number 09/628,575] was granted by the patent office on 2001-06-12 for internet based provision of information supplemental to that stored on compact discs.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Carl J. Yankowski.
United States Patent |
6,247,022 |
Yankowski |
June 12, 2001 |
Internet based provision of information supplemental to that stored
on compact discs
Abstract
A method and apparatus for updating a memory in a Compact Disc
changer. Information identifying discs stored in a CD changer is
stored in a memory. The memory is updated when a CD is loaded which
does not have identifying features which are recognized by the CD
changer. Updating is carried out via a modem connection to a remote
database. The database can be stored locally in a local database
residing in a personal computer where the database can be queried
to locate desired tracks and can be used to facilitate control of
the compact disc changer by providing a simplified interface for
building a play list and the like.
Inventors: |
Yankowski; Carl J. (Dover,
MA) |
Assignee: |
Sony Corporation (Tokyo,
JP)
Sony Electronics Inc. (Park Ridge, NJ)
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Family
ID: |
24019058 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/628,575 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
985512 |
Dec 5, 1997 |
6128625 |
|
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507544 |
Jul 26, 1995 |
5751672 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
707/823;
G9B/27.051; G9B/27.021; G9B/27.001; 369/30.09; 369/30.06; 707/916;
707/999.104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B
27/002 (20130101); G11B 27/11 (20130101); G11B
27/34 (20130101); Y10S 707/99948 (20130101); G11B
27/105 (20130101); G11B 27/28 (20130101); G11B
27/329 (20130101); G11B 2220/213 (20130101); G11B
2220/2529 (20130101); G11B 2220/2545 (20130101); G11B
2220/2562 (20130101); G11B 2220/65 (20130101); Y10S
707/99945 (20130101); Y10S 707/916 (20130101); G11B
27/007 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G11B
27/00 (20060101); G11B 27/11 (20060101); G11B
27/34 (20060101); G11B 27/28 (20060101); G11B
27/32 (20060101); G11B 27/10 (20060101); G06F
017/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;707/104,102,100,10,6,3,1
;369/30,48,34,50,32,49,36,38,33,47,58 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Alam; Hosain T.
Assistant Examiner: Shah; Sanjiv
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Tobin; Christopher M. Fujii; Harold
T.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
08/985,512, filed Dec. 5, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,128,625, which
is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/507,544, filed Jul. 26,
1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,751,672.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for providing information supplemental to that stored
on a compact disc, the method comprising:
receiving identifying information for a given compact disc from a
remote compact disc playing system through an Internet connection,
wherein the given compact disc includes stored information and is
devoid of supplemental information related to the stored
information;
using the identifying information to correlate the supplemental
information to the given compact disc; and
transmitting the supplemental information to the compact disc
playing system through the Internet connection.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying information is a
digital fingerprint that identifies the given compact disc based
upon the stored information.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored information includes
musical content, and the supplemental information includes
bibliographic information related to the musical content.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the stored information includes
musical content, and the supplemental information includes
bibliographic information related to the musical content.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the compact disc playing system
includes a compact disc player in operative communication with a
computer.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the compact disc playing system
includes a computer in operative communication with a compact disc
reading device.
7. An apparatus for providing information supplemental to that
stored on a compact disc, the apparatus comprising:
means for receiving identifying information for a given compact
disc from a remote compact disc playing system through an Internet
connection, wherein the given compact disc includes stored
information and is devoid of supplemental information related to
the stored information;
means for using the identifying information to correlate the
supplemental information to the given compact disc; and
means for transmitting the supplemental information to the compact
disc playing system through the Internet connection.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the identifying information is
a digital fingerprint that identifies the given compact disc based
upon the stored information.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the stored information
includes musical content, and the supplemental information includes
bibliographic information related to the musical content.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the stored information
includes musical content, and the supplemental information includes
bibliographic information related to the musical content.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the compact disc playing
system includes a compact disc player in operative communication
with a computer.
12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the compact disc playing
system includes a computer in operative communication with a
compact disc reading device.
13. A method for obtaining information supplemental to that stored
on a compact disc from a remote location, the method
comprising:
transmitting identifying information for a given compact disc from
a compact disc playing system to the remote location through an
Internet connection, wherein the given compact disc includes stored
information and is devoid of supplemental information related to
the stored information; and
receiving the supplemental information from the remote location
through the Internet connection, the supplemental information
having been correlated to the given compact disc at the remote
location using the identifying information.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the identifying information is
a digital fingerprint that identifies the given compact disc based
upon the stored information.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the stored information includes
musical content, and the supplemental information includes
bibliographic information related to the musical content.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the stored information includes
musical content, and the supplemental information includes
bibliographic information related to the musical content.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the compact disc playing system
includes a compact disc player in operative communication with a
computer.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the compact disc playing system
includes a computer in operative communication with a compact disc
reading device.
19. An apparatus for obtaining information supplemental to that
stored on a compact disc from a remote location, the apparatus
comprising:
means for transmitting identifying information for a given compact
disc from a compact disc playing system to the remote location
through an Internet connection, wherein the given compact disc
includes stored information and is devoid of supplemental
information related to the stored information; and
means for receiving the supplemental information to the given
compact disc from the remote location through the Internet
connection, the supplemental information having been correlated to
the given compact disc at the remote location using the identifying
information.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the identifying information
is a digital fingerprint that identifies the given compact disc
based upon the stored information.
21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the stored information
includes musical content, and the supplemental information includes
bibliographic information related to the musical content.
22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the stored information
includes musical content, and the supplemental information includes
bibliographic information related to the musical content.
23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the compact disc playing
system includes a compact disc player in operative communication
with a computer.
24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the compact disc playing
system includes a computer in operative communication with a
compact disc reading device.
25. A compact disc playing system for obtaining information
supplemental to that stored on a compact disc from a remote
location, the system comprising:
a processor; and
a memory, in operative communication with the processor, which
store instructions that are executed by the processor to effectuate
transmitting identifying information for a given compact disc from
a compact disc playing system to the remote location through an
Internet connection, wherein the given compact disc includes stored
information and is devoid of supplemental information related to
the stored information, and receiving the supplemental information
to the given compact disc from the remote location through the
Internet connection, the supplemental information having been
correlated to the given compact disc at the remote location using
the identifying information.
26. The system of claim 25, wherein the identifying information is
a digital fingerprint that identifies the given compact disc based
upon the stored information.
27. The system of claim 25, wherein the stored information includes
musical content, and the supplemental information includes
bibliographic information related to the musical content.
28. The system of claim 26, wherein the stored information includes
musical content, and the supplemental information includes
bibliographic information related to the musical content.
29. A method for providing information supplemental to that stored
on a digital video disc, the method comprising:
receiving identifying information for a given digital video disc
from a remote digital video disc playing system through an Internet
connection, wherein the given digital video disc includes stored
information and is devoid of supplemental information related to
the stored information;
using the identifying information to correlate the supplemental
information to the given digital video disc; and
transmitting the supplemental information to the digital video disc
playing system through the Internet connection.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the identifying information
is a digital fingerprint that identifies the given digital video
disc based upon the stored information.
31. A method for obtaining information supplemental to that stored
on a digital video disc from a remote location, the method
comprising:
transmitting identifying information for a given digital video disc
from a digital video disc playing system to the remote location
through an Internet connection, wherein the given digital video
disc includes stored information and is devoid of supplemental
information related to the stored information; and
receiving the supplemental information from the remote location
through the Internet connection, the supplemental information
having been correlated to the given digital video disc at the
remote location using the identifying information.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the identifying information is
a digital fingerprint that identifies the given digital video disc
based upon the stored information.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of audio and
audio/video equipment including compact disc (CD) players. More
particularly, this invention relates to a CD changer which can
access a database which is user searchable and updated upon
recognition of an unknown CD. This invention is particularly useful
for multiple CD changers which serve to store substantial numbers
of compact discs. In addition, this invention provides a mechanism
for computer control of the operation of the CD changer.
2. Background of the Invention
Several large capacity compact disc players are currently available
commercially. For example, Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan produces
several such players such as the model CDP-CX100 and the CDP-CX153,
available through Sony Electronics Inc., 1 Sony Drive, Park Ridge,
N.J. 07676. Each of these players includes an internal rotary table
with 100 slots which can store up to 100 compact discs. Players
with even higher storage capacity will no doubt appear in the
future. Compact disc players of this nature are commonly used to
not only play compact discs, but also as a convenient mechanism for
storing such discs in a very neat and compact arrangement.
In earlier compact disc players which only hold one or a few discs,
the compact discs are commonly stored in their protective jewel
case. Such jewel cases generally include an insert provides a
written directory for each disc which generally lists in order the
selections available on the disc and often includes play times and
other information regarding each selection (e.g. artist, title,
author, etc.). Such information facilitates the listener's
selection of the desired track or disc.
Unfortunately, this information may not be as readily available to
the user of a CD player which is used as a storage device such as
the above-mentioned high capacity CD players. Since users commonly
use such players to store the compact discs, they also frequently
store the jewel case and related informational inserts in a less
convenient location. Moreover, the user must know not only the disc
which he desires to play, but the location of the disc in the
rotary table and perhaps a track number in order to readily access
a particular chosen selection. In addition, it is difficult for the
user to have a clear overview of the musical selections available
and to control the play of such selections.
This problem has been partially addressed in the above Sony disc
players by providing the user with the ability to program the disc
player to store identifying information for each disc in the
player's memory and to categorize discs into a number of groups of
the user's selection (e.g. jazz, classical, Rock, etc.). These
multiple CD changers utilize a portion of the table of contents
(TOC) data for uniquely identifying each compact disc stored
therein. In particular, the total music play time and the number of
movements (typically songs) as indicated in the TOC is used in some
changers to uniquely identify the discs. Compact disc changers also
include a feature known as "Custom File" which is described in
Japanese patent application publication number 03-76082 which is
incorporated herein by reference. While this technique is helpful
in locating a desired selection, the user still has only limited
access to the available information relating to the disc. For
example, there is no information available on the specified tracks
on the disc, artist, etc. unless this information is used to
identify the entire disc. Moreover, all such information must
currently be entered by the user using a remote control or jog dial
to cycle through available characters. The process of entering such
data is somewhat inconvenient (especially for large numbers of
discs) and thus often omitted by the user. Furthermore, the user of
such players are currently restricted to controlling the discs
using stored parameters (e.g. level and sound field selections) on
a disc by disc basis without regard for the content of individual
tracks on the disc.
While variations of compact disc format might permit various
information about the disc to be included on the disc itself in
machine readable form, there exists a large body of work which has
no such identification information. Thus, there is a need to
provide the user with access to an equivalent body of information
to use, particularly in connection with high capacity multiple disc
players.
The present invention addresses these problems by providing a
database of the information for access by the user to provide
searchable access to the information which and the ability to
download such information. This minimizes and in most cases
eliminates the need for data input by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a compact disc
player with access to an external database which permits easy
selection of discs stored in a multiple disc player.
It is a feature that the present invention provides the ability to
search a database for desired music selections with minimal or no
user entry of the database data.
It is a further feature that the present invention identifies a CD
by the table of contents area of the disc (or other unique
identifying information) which is used as a "fingerprint" for the
disc.
It is a further feature that certain embodiments of the present
invention can facilitate control over playback parameters of a
compact disc on a track-by-track basis.
It is an advantage that the present invention can provide a large
body of searchable information for the user to access without entry
of the data.
It is a further advantage of the present invention that compact
discs or other storage media can be easily stored within a multiple
disc player while producing an enhanced ability to locate a music
selection of choice.
It is another advantage of embodiments of the present invention to
provide for user control of the play selections of the CD player
via the computer's user interface.
Broadly speaking, the present invention provides a modem link to a
remote database which a user can utilize in order to provide
information updates to a memory forming a part of a CD player. The
system uses a "fingerprint" of a CD in order to search the remote
database for information such as title, track names, artist, etc.
Once the CD is identified, the information associated with the CD
can be loaded into a local database so that the user can search for
desired music, artists, etc. In addition, the information is loaded
into the memory of a CD player so that discs stored in the CD
player can be readily identified. This is especially useful for
large capacity multiple CD players which are also used to store
CDs. The user can further use the computer as a simplified control
interface to search for selections, build play lists as well as
enhance control of the playback operation.
The present invention contemplates many alternatives and
variations. For example, in one aspect of the present invention, a
system for playback of music compact discs includes a disc changer
for receiving a compact disc and reading data from the disc to
convert to signals representing music. An identifying portion of
the disc is read in order to uniquely identify the disc. The
identifying portion of the disc with a memory to determine if data
relating to the compact disc is stored in the memory. A modem is
provided along with a searching mechanism for accessing a remote
database via the modem, wherein in the event the comparison does
not detect the identifying information in the memory, the remote
database is accessed via the modem to locate identifying
information relating to the disc, the disc being identified in the
database by the identifying portion. The information is then
downloaded from the remote database to the memory.
In another aspect of the invention, a system for playback of music
compact discs includes a disc changer for receiving a compact disc
and reading data from the disc to convert to signals representing
music. A portion of the changer reads an identifying portion of the
disc which can be used to uniquely identify the disc. The
identifying portion of the disc is compared with the memory to
determine if data relating to the compact disc is stored in the
memory. A first searching mechanism is provided for accessing a
local database, wherein in the event the comparison does not detect
the identifying portion in the memory, the first searching
mechanism accesses the local database to locate the identifying
portion relating to the disc, the disc being identified in the
local database by the identifying portion. A second searching
mechanism is provided for accessing a remote database via a modem,
wherein in the event the comparison does not detect the identifying
information in the memory and the first searching mechanism does
not locate the identifying portion in the local database, the
second searching mechanism accesses the remote database via the
modem to locate identifying information relating to the disc, the
disc being identified in the database by the identifying portion.
The information is downloaded from either of the local database or
the remote database to the memory.
In another aspect of the invention, a multiple disc compact disc
player includes a multiple disc CD changer mechanism for playing
and storing a plurality of compact discs. A memory stores
information associated with the plurality of compact discs. A
controller controls operations of the multiple disc compact disc
player. A modem is coupled to the controller for accessing a remote
database via a telephone line connection. The controller includes
capability for issuing a first query to the memory to determine if
the memory includes information associated with a selected disc in
the CD changer mechanism, and for issuing a second query to a
remote database via the modem in order to find information
associated with the selected, if the first query fails to locate a
information in the memory associated with the selected compact
disc.
In another aspect of the invention, a system for playback of
recorded media includes a media changer for receiving a recorded
medium and reading data from the medium. An identifying portion of
the medium is read and used to uniquely identify the medium. The
identifying portion of the medium is compared with a memory to
determine if data relating to the medium is stored in the memory. A
remote database is accessed and searched via a modem, wherein in
the event the comparison does not detect the identifying
information in the memory, the remote database is searched via the
modem to locate identifying information relating to the medium, the
medium being identified in the database by the identifying portion.
The information relating to the medium is downloaded from the
remote database to the memory.
A method of updating a memory in an audio compact disc changer
according to an aspect of the invention includes the steps of:
reading an identifying portion of a compact disc which uniquely
identifies the compact disc; comparing the identifying portion with
identifying portions stored in a memory; querying a database
residing outside the compact disc changer for the identifying
portion of the disc if the identifying portion is not found in the
memory; and downloading data from the database to the memory
corresponding to the identifying portion.
A method of updating a memory in recorded media player, according
to an aspect of the invention includes the steps of: reading an
identifying portion of a recorded medium which uniquely identifies
the medium; comparing the identifying portion with identifying
portions stored in a memory; querying a database residing outside
the recorded media player for the identifying portion of the medium
if the identifying portion is not found in the memory; and
downloading data from the database to the memory corresponding to
the identifying portion.
The present invention further contemplates a method for controlling
the operation of a compact disc player, which in one aspect
includes the steps of: storing data relating to a compact disc in a
database, the database including information relating to each track
of the compact disc; storing a playback attribute in the database
on a track-by-track basis; and instructing the compact disc changer
to play a selected track using the playback attribute.
Furthermore, the present invention contemplates a method of
building a play list for a multiple disc compact disc changer,
which in one embodiment includes the steps of: in a computer,
storing information in a database about a plurality of compact
discs residing in the multiple disc compact disc changer; the
database including playback attributes for tracks of the compact
discs; displaying a table of tracks of the plurality of compact
discs; selecting a sequential set of tracks from the plurality of
compact discs to define a play list; and sending a sequence of
commands from the computer to the multiple compact disc changer to
sequentially play the selected tracks from the play list.
The above objects, advantages and features of the invention, as
well as others, will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon consideration of the following description of the
invention.
The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth
with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself
however, both as to organization and method of operation, together
with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood
by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 illustrates the TOC data format for a conventional compact
disc.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the CD changer 20 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4, which is shown as FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, is a flow chart
describing the operation of one embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates the use of computer 32 for control of the CD
changer 20.
FIG. 6 is a simplified flow chart of one embodiment of a routine
for issuing commands to the CD changer 20.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart describing the operation of the second
embodiment as shown in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different
forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described
in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the
present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the
principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention
to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description
below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same,
similar or corresponding parts in the several views of the
drawing.
Before discussing the actual method and apparatus of the present
invention in detail, it is useful to understand several basic
concepts relating to the standard formatting of compact discs so
that the options available for uniquely identifying each disc are
understood. Conventional music compact discs are formatted
according to a specification which is known in the industry as the
"Red Book" specification. The format is also discussed in, for
example, chapter 5 of Compact Disc Technology, by Heitaro Nakajima
and Hiroshi Ogawa, 1992, Ohmsha, Ltd., 3-1 Kanda Nishiki-cho,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101, Japan, which is incorporated herein by
reference. While the Red Book specification permits an identifying
code to be used with each disc, the industry rarely utilizes this
option. Thus, there is no unique label which is currently assured
of being available for each disc. However, the Red Book
specification defines a lead-in area to include an area of
subcoding having so called P-channel data and Q-channel data. This
data includes information known as the Table of Contents (TOC)
which is somewhat analogous to the table of contents of a book.
Since each CD is unique in exact content, it is possible to use
this the TOC information as a sort of "fingerprint" to uniquely
identify each CD.
FIG. 1 illustrates the format of a TOC entry for a typical music
compact disc. It is noted that a frame of TOC data is provided for
each track (movement) of the music disc. Each TOC entry includes
the elapsed time of each movement and an absolute time for the
POINT content. These times are extremely precise in that they are
measured in minutes, seconds and frames. Each disc may include up
to 99 such tracks or movements with each TOC entry occupying 72
bits. The TOC entries are repeated in order to fill the entire
lead-in area. As stated above, a small portion of this TOC
information has been used to uniquely identify compact discs for
purposes of the "Custom File" feature in Sony compact disc players.
In the present invention, a larger sampling of the data may be
required to uniquely identify or "fingerprint" each compact disc,
since the invention depends upon unique identification of all discs
in an extremely extensive database. The solution to this problem is
to simply select a sampling of information which is large enough to
uniquely identify each disc.
An enormous amount of data is available on each disc which can be
used to uniquely characterize each disc. The TOC entry for the
first movement alone could theoretically account for up to 2.sup.72
(which is approximately 4.7E21) unique discs. In practice, the
actual number of unique values which are likely to occur in this
one entry is substantially lower since a typical movement has a
duration of approximately three minutes, the movement number for
the first movement is always 1, the POINT value is often the same,
etc. Even so, it is clear that each disc has an adequate amount of
unique information that one can readily understand that each
compact disc has its own unique "fingerprint" which can be used to
uniquely identify the disc from all other discs. By way of example,
and not to be limiting, an extremely large number of discs could be
uniquely identified by examining the number of movements, the play
time of each movement (or, e.g. the play time of the first five
movements) and the total play time of the CD. Such a scheme would
provide data of a manageable size which would uniquely identify a
vast number of discs. Due to the variables mentioned earlier, the
exact number of discs which can be identified by this scheme for
practical purposes is difficult to ascertain with any degree of
exactness, but is clearly huge. Other combinations will occur to
those skilled in the art. The exact scheme selected should be based
upon an analysis of a large sampling of compact discs to assure
that enough TOC data is used without making the amount of data
unnecessarily large.
In addition to the above example of using TOC data for the
identifying information, a sample of the actual disc data
representing a musical selection or movement can also be used to
uniquely identify each disc. Due to the wide dynamic range of music
characterized on each disc, several data samples taken at
consistent locations on a disc can also be statistically likely to
uniquely identify the disc, either alone or in combination with a
portion of the TOC data. Thus, by selecting a large enough sampling
of data to characterize each disc, it is possible to uniquely
identify each disc which has been manufactured and which is likely
to be manufactured in the future. Accordingly, an exact definition
of the "fingerprint" data is to be determined by a detailed
analysis of a large body of discs and is not critical to the
understanding of the overall concept and operation of the present
invention. After selection of such a sampling of data to be used as
a CD "fingerprint", in the unlikely event that the identifying
"fingerprint" of two or more discs are the same, remedies such as
user selection of the appropriate disc are contemplated by the
present invention.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of a system according
to the present invention is shown in block diagram form. In this
embodiment, a CD changer 20 is coupled in a conventional manner to
a stereo amplifier (or receiver) 24 which provides power
amplification suitable to drive a pair (or more) of stereo speakers
26 and 28 or headphones (not shown). According to the present
embodiment, the CD changer 20 includes an interconnection to an
external computer 32 such as a personal computer or a dedicated
computer designated to carry out the functions of the present
invention. Computer 32 includes input devices such as a keyboard,
mouse or other input device and a display screen. Computer 32 may
be coupled to the CD changer 20 via any suitable standard or
proprietary interface including SCSI or RS-232, or via a local area
network interconnection as desired. Computer 32 includes a disc
drive 36 including any suitable database management software (for
example, a SQL compliant database such as those commercially
available from various manufacturers).
Computer 32 also includes a modem 40 (either internal or external)
which is connected to a telephone network 44. While the present
invention contemplates a conventional data modem connection using
conventional telephone service, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that a number of alternatives are possible such as ISDN
networks and associated terminal adapters.
In operation, the present invention utilizes the modem 40 to dial
up a database 50 which may be maintained by an online service
provider or made available on the Internet, for example. Database
50 is preferably industry maintained to assure the maximum level of
completeness, but could also be maintained by the user community,
the CD changer manufacturer, commercial ventures or other sources.
Database 50 includes identifying information as described above for
a large body of compact discs which is associated with tabulated
data for each disc. An example of the type of data in such a
database is illustrated in TABLE 1 below. The preferred method for
accessing and utilizing this information will described later.
TABLE 1 Movement #1 Finger- Movement #1 time (Min, print CD-Title
Artist Title Sec, Frame) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.about..about..about. The New Yo-Yo Ma Concerto for 06:38:42 . . .
York Cello and Album Orchestra: I. Audacemente ma sostenuto . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Movement Movement #99 Total play #99
time time Total # of . . . Title (Min, Sec, Frame) (Min, Sec,
Frame) Movements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . null 00:00:00
78:04:22 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
As illustrated in TABLE 1, the machine readable data available on
the actual CD can be supplemented substantially by the addition of
titles of each movement, CD title, Artist, etc. Those skilled in
the art will also understand that the database can also include
even more detailed information such as composer, producer, record
label, as well as any other information which might be of value to
the user. While TABLE 1 illustrates the data in a form which might
be interpreted as a flat field database, those skilled in the art
will understand that the data may be more readily stored in the
form of a relational database. TABLE 1, is thus intended to be an
illustrative example of the database and should not be considered
limiting since those skilled in the art will understand that the
database may be designed in numerous ways and may contain any
relevant data of the designer's choosing.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a more detailed diagram of the CD changer
20 of FIG. 2 is illustrated. The interconnection with computer 32
is provided via a conventional computer interface 64. Interface 64
is coupled to a microprocessor based controller 68 to provide
communication between the computer 32 and the controller 68.
Controller 68 is coupled to a memory 72 which is preferably a
non-volatile read-write memory such as an Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM) or a battery backed up
Random Access Memory (RAM). Memory 72 is used to store an internal
database of information relating to a plurality of CDs. In
particular, the memory 72 contains information relating to at least
all of the CDs presently stored in the multiple disc changer
mechanism, but may also be more extensive. Controller 68 is coupled
to a multiple disc CD changer mechanism 74 such as that used in the
commercially available Sony CDP-CX153 and associated signal
processing circuitry 78 to provide control thereto in a
conventional manner. Controller 68 is also coupled to a
display/control panel 82 to receive commands directly from the user
and to provide visual displays in a more or less conventional
manner. In addition, controller 68 may be coupled to an infra-red
(or RF) receiver 84 which receives control signals from a remote
commander.
Controller 68 is used to control the normal functions of the
compact disc changer 20 in a conventional manner and in addition
provides the function of (1) receiving memory updates from the
computer interface 64, (2) updating memory 72, and (3) sending
requests, via interface 64 for information updates for memory
72.
One method of operation according to the present invention is
illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 4 (which is broken down into
FIGS. 4A and 4B. The process starts at step 100. When the user
selects or loads a disc at step 104, the controller 68 directs the
chanter mechanism 74 to read the portion of the disc which contains
the identifying information or "fingerprint" of the selected disc
at step 106. The controller then compares this with the
"fingerprints" stored in memory 72 at step 110. If the
"fingerprint" is found at step 114, the CD changer 20 operates in a
more or less conventional manner at step 116 and then returns to
await the next disc selection.
If the "fingerprint" is not found at step 114, the user is informed
via a display (or other message system) indicating that the disc
data was not found in the CD changer's database. The user is then
asked if the disc is to be played, if the user wishes to attempt to
retrieve the data from a database, or if the user desires to enter
data manually at step 120. The user may respond via a remote
commander or via the display/control panel 82. If the user decides
to simply play the disc (for example, if the disc is borrowed or
infrequently played), control returns to step 116 where
conventional operation proceeds. If the user decides to enter the
data manually, a manual entry routine is initiated at step 122.
Such manual entry can be accomplished in a manner similar to that
used in commercially available CD changers to enter so-called
"custom file" information. After step 122, control returns to step
116. If the user decides to attempt to retrieve data, the disc's
"fingerprint" is sent to the computer 32 via the computer interface
64 at step 124. Under software control, the computer 32 then
initiates a query of the database stored in disc drive 36 to
attempt to match the "fingerprint" in question at step 128. If
found at step 132, the appropriate portions of the database are
downloaded to the CD changer's memory at step 138 and control
returns to step 116. Thus, the user is received of the burden of
manual entry.
In the event the "fingerprint" is not found at step 132, the user
may be informed at step 139. At this point, the user can again make
a decision as to whether to simply play the disc, make further
attempts to download information from a database or opt for manual
entry of the data. If the user elects to play the disc, control
returns to step 116. If the user elects to enter the data manually,
control returns to step 122. Manual entry routine 122 should
preferably utilize the connection to the computer 32 in order to
permit a simplified manual entry of the data via the keyboard of
computer 32. If the user elects to make further attempts to
download the data, the computer 32 initiates a call to the remote
database 50 via modem 40 and telephone line 44 to attempt to
retrieve the data. Once the database is accessed, computer 32
initiates a query of the remote database to locate the
"fingerprint" for the disc in question at step 150.
If the disc's "fingerprint"s not found, a message is provided at
step 162 indicating such and providing the user with the option of
entry of the data or playing the CD without data entry. If the user
elects to play, control again returns to step 116. If the user
elects to enter data manually, this can be carried out at the
computer keyboard at step 122. If the "fingerprint" is found in the
remote database at step 158, the computer 32 downloads the data to
the local database stored at 36 at step 166. Computer 32 then
proceeds to download the appropriate data to the changer's memory
72 at step 170. Once the data is stored in the database at 36, the
user can utilize the search power of the database management
software to find selections; categorize discs, by music type,
artist, etc.; and perform other known database management
activities.
Once the above-referenced interconnection between the CD changer 20
and computer 32 is established, and once the local database is
created, this arrangement can be used advantageously to control
operation of the CD changer by utilizing the computer's keyboard,
mouse or other input devices. The computer may be used to provide a
friendlier interface to the user than that provided by a
conventional CD changer to permit the user to start or stop play of
a CD, select a play list, identify a CD or track of a CD for play,
search for a passage in a CD, and in general effect control over
all aspects of the CD changer. In order to illustrate this,
consider FIG. 5 which illustrates first the local database (shown
as 174) arranged as an array of cells. The above control can be
effected by selecting any of the desired CD changer functions from
a menu of available functions or by directly typing commands from
the computer keyboard. Those skilled in the art will understand
that there are many ways to represent these control functions in a
user interface, for example, a menu bar can be provided with drop
down means or particular control icons can be provided. Such an
interface will desirably occupy the computer's display
simultaneously with the database tables including data relating to
the compact discs.
In one embodiment of the enhanced control possible with the present
invention, the user may generate a play list by first having the
computer 32 query the CD changer 20 to determine which CDs are
contained within the changer as identified in the memory 72. Since
the local database 174 can carry information regarding as many CDs
as the user desires without regard for the content of the CD
changer 20, the user can then reduce the display of the local
database 174 to a representation of only those discs which are in
fact loaded into the CD changer 20. This reduced representation 176
is shown as having only 5 entries corresponding to 5 compact discs.
In other embodiments, the loaded discs might be represented in a
different color or might be accented in some other manner. Once the
user has a display of the available discs including the titles of
all tracks on the discs, the user can create a play list by simply
reviewing the available tracks and then making a selection by, for
example, clicking a mouse button when a display cursor points to a
desired selection and then confirming that the item is to be added
to a play list. This is shown in FIG. 5 as shaded blocks in
database 176. Once the user selects an item for the play list, the
play list can be reviewed in a play list window or screen shown as
178. Thus, the user can select as many selection for play in a
specified order as desired. The selection is made based upon the
full knowledge of the title of the selection and/or the disc,
rather than simply the disc number and track number. In addition,
the power of the database management software can be used to search
for particular selections to add to the play list. Thus, for
example, the user could initiate a search by entering specific key
words. The search results can be presented as a list of possible
tracks or discs containing the key word(s) and the user can add the
track or disc to the play list by selecting the desired match.
Once the play list is assembled in this manner, the user can then
initiate play of the list at 188. The control interface can be
implemented as a character or graphical user interface as desired.
In one embodiment, the interface can be designed in a manner
similar to that of the Music Box window available in the Microsoft
Windows.TM. operating system and may include all conventional
instructions which could be issued via a remote control (including
stop, play, pause, skip back, skip forward, play modes such as
shuffle and repeat, volume, sound fields, etc.). In addition, the
interface can include character and graphic displays of such
attributes as CD and track play time, CD and track time remaining,
track number, track title, CD title, Artist and any other desired
information from the database. Of course, in the Music Box
interface, any desired database information must be entered by the
user, and this interface does not have a communication mechanism
which permits the computer to know the disc content of a multiple
disc player. Those skilled in the art will understand that many
variations of this procedure can be implemented within the scope of
the present invention.
With reference to FIG. 6, one simplified process for implementing
the control of CD changer 20 is illustrated. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that many variations of this implementation are
possible, and an implementation similar to this could be built
around the Microsoft Music Box program as described above. At step
180, the CD changer 20 is queried by the computer 32 for a listing
of all CD "fingerprints" for CDs which are currently installed in
the CD changer. This step can be carried out whenever the user
requests it or whenever the CD changer detects that a CD has been
loaded or unloaded. At step 182, these "fingerprints" are checked
against the local database 174 and the local database is restricted
to those CDs currently installed in the database at 182. This
produces an image of the CDs currently installed at step 176. At
this point, the user can scan the matrix displayed as 176 and
select CDs or tracks to be added to the play list using mouse or
keyboard commands. Alternatively, the user can implement a search
at step 184 by selecting "SEARCH" from a menu (e.g. a menu bar,
menu button or icon). In this event, the database is searched using
conventional query methods at step 186. When the query is
completed, a display of the matching selections is shown for the
user to select from and control returns to step 184.
Once one or more selections are made, the user can select the "PLAY
LIST" command from the menu. At this point the user can select any
variety of play list related commands at step 190. Step 190
illustrates three such commands, but those skilled in the art will
understand that a full complement of such commands can be
programmed as desired. If the user selects "ADD" at 190, control
passes to a routine 192 that adds the selected tracks or CDs to the
current play list. If "DELETE" is selected at step 190, control
passes to a routine 196 which deletes the selected tracks or CDs
from the current play list. If "DISPLAY" is selected, a window such
as 178 is opened to show a list representation of the play list. Of
course, once the play list is represented as list 178, the user can
more readily see the listing of songs or CDs selected in their
playing order and can preferably manipulate the list directly to
delete items, rearrange items, etc.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the process of FIG. 6
is but one partial illustration of a command structure which could
be utilized to control CD changer 20. Obviously, many additional
useful commands (as discussed above) can be implemented throughout
the process. Accordingly, the present process is not intended to be
limiting, but rather, illustrative of the type of control that can
be implemented once the computer 32 is linked to the CD changer 20
and once the power of the database is harnessed for use in
controlling the CD changer 20.
Once the user has access to the entire content of a compact disc
via the database 174, other opportunities for control are possible.
For example, the Sony CDP-CX100 includes a function known as
"custom files" in which, for example, the volume level for playback
can be stored along with each disc (a so-called "level file"). Once
the user has access to the database 174 including information
regarding every track of every disc, one can readily appreciate
that the individual attributes of each track can be individually
controlled via computer 36. For example, in an extension of the
"custom file" function of the CDP-CX100, computer 36 can issue
commands to the CD changer 20 to alter the volume level on a track
by track basis on the playback list. Moreover, other attributes
such as sound fields can similarly be manipulated on a track by
track basis. Thus, the play list and/or the local database can also
include entries for attributes associated with each track as
illustrated in TABLE 2 below. Such entries can be expanded in a
separate window showing selections of attributes for each database
entry (track).
TABLE 2 Track Title: Come Down Easy Track: 1 Disc: 3 Disc Title:
Rhymes & Reasons Artist: Carole King Play Time: 03:06 Play
Attributes: Level: 65% Sound Field: Live Room
Thus, for the example of TABLE 2, at play time the track will be
played at a volume level of 65% with a signal processing sound
field "live room". Of course, other user controllable attributes
can similarly be stored and assigned on a track by track basis.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a second embodiment of the present
invention is shown. In this embodiment, a compact disc changer 220
incorporates an internal modem 240 which operates under the control
of controller 268 to access remote database 50 via telephone line
44. In this embodiment, a portion of the function of computer 32 is
absorbed into the compact disc changer 220. The function and
operation of controller 268 is similar to that of controller 68
except that the additional functions required to control modem 240
and the additional search and communications functions are
incorporated therein. Infrared receiver 284 is similar in function
to that of infrared receiver 84, except that it may require a
broader vocabulary of commands in the absence of the computer 32.
Similarly, display/control panel 282 is similar to that of
display/control panel 82 except that in the absence of the computer
display and keyboard, a more extensive display and keyboard
function is desirable.
In operation, the CD changer 220 of FIG. 7 performs functions
similar to those of CD changer 20 of FIGS. 2 and 3, except that the
local database search is bypassed. Of course, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that by incorporating mass storage into the CD
changer 220, the function of computer 32 could be more or less
completely integrated into a single package.
FIG. 8, illustrates one method of operation of CD changer 220. This
method starts at step 300. When the user selects or loads a disc at
step 304, the controller 268 directs the changer mechanism 74 to
read the portion of the disc which contains the identifying
information or "fingerprint" of the selected disc at step 306. The
controller then compares this with the "fingerprints" stored in
memory 72 at step 310. If the "fingerprint" is found at step 314,
the CD changer 220 operates in a more or less conventional manner
at step 316 and then returns to await the next disc selection at
step 304.
If the "fingerprint" is not found at step 314, the user is informed
via a display (or other message system) indicating that the disc
data was not found in the CD changer's internal memory 72. The user
is then asked if the disc is to be played or if the user wishes to
attempt to retrieve the data from a database, or if the user
desires to enter data manually at step 320. The user may respond
via a remote commander or via the display/control panel 282. If the
user decides to simply play the disc, control returns to step 316
where conventional operation proceeds. If the user decides to enter
the data manually, a manual entry routine is initiated at step 322
and then control returns to step 316.
If the user wishes to download information from a database at step
320, control passes to step 344 where the controller 268 directly
initiates a call to the remote database 50 via modem 240 and
telephone line 44 to attempt to retrieve the data. Once the
database is accessed, controller 268 initiates a query of the
remote database to locate the "fingerprint" for the disc in
question at step 350.
If the disc's "fingerprint" is not found, a message is provided at
step 362 indicating such and providing the user with the option of
manual entry of the data or playing the CD without data entry. If
the user elects to play, control again returns to step 316. If the
user elects to enter data manually, this can be carried out via the
remote commander or the display/control panel at step 322. If the
"fingerprint" is found in the remote database at step 358, the
controller 268 downloads the data to the changer's memory 72 at
step 370.
Thus, by the above processes, the CD changer's memory can be
updated without need for tedious manual entry whenever the disc in
question can be found in the computer's local database or when the
information can be downloaded from a remote database. For the sake
of not obscuring the present invention with unnecessary details,
the above process has been described without the details of error
trapping, database format, communications protocol for contact with
the remote database, full messaging and other details which are not
required for the understanding of the present invention. In
addition, the above process, of course, assumes that the computer
is active at the time of the need for contact by the CD changer.
These details are well within the abilities of those skilled in the
art and need not be explained here. In addition, as CD formats
evolve to incorporate specific identifying information stored on
the disc for this purpose (or to contain the actual database
information), the present invention contemplates utilizing this
information to the extent it is available.
Many alternative embodiments of the above processes will occur to
those skilled in the art. For example, the processes described can
be carried out with the CD in question playing while the database
updating process is carried out. In another variation, the user may
select default answers to the download queries of steps 120, 138,
162, 320, or 362. In addition, although the possibility of having
two discs which have identical "fingerprints" is remote, the
process can provide the user with the ability to select among them
if the situation were to occur.
While the present invention has been described in terms of a
compact disc as the media containing the program material, the
present invention also contemplates equivalent embodiments in other
music or video or other recording media which might not contain
machine readable information which would be useful to a user of the
media. For example, an equivalent embodiment can be devised for
media such as the MiniDisc.TM., digital video discs or other as yet
undeveloped media. Accordingly, the present invention should not be
limited to the illustrated format.
Thus it is apparent that in accordance with the present invention,
an apparatus that fully satisfies the objectives, aims and
advantages is set forth above. While the invention has been
described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident
that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations
will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the
foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended that the present
invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and
variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *